Raggy arsed Rovers v Millionaires row

All new Pompey took to the field today to try and halt a dismal start to the season.Michael Brown and Tommy Smith went straight into the side, Smith on the right in place of Utaka, and Brown took Mokoena's spot who in turn moved to centre-back in place of the now departed Distin.

Pompey started the game by driving forward, if we were expecting our team to get steam rollered, they were going all out to prove they could compete with the big earning Galacticos.Piquionne had the first effort of note on 10 minutes, a long ball found the Frenchman, he controlled and smashed a shot past Given but into the side netting.Next up and Ireland stole possesion from Brown and Hughes hacked him down to earn a card and a free-kick on the edge of the area for City. Tevez stepped up and his shot flew narrowly wide into the grateful Fratton end.On 20 minutes Kranjcar got the chance to show off his free-kick prowress, but like against Fulham 2 weeks ago he didn't trouble the 'keeper and smashed a shot straight into the wall.Pompey were working the channels with some success, but everytime they sent a ball into the box it was comfortably dealt with and cleared, City were doing much the same, but Belhadj was looking solid and Vanden Borre had really upped his game.On the half hour though the inevitable happened, Barry sent over another corner, Adebayor leapt like a demented salmon and powered home a header, Pompey needed to be the first team to score against City's expensively assembled defence to get anything out this game.Pompey huffed and puffed, but Given was not really troubled again first half, Begovic could claim likewise, although Richards had one disallowed for offside after Bellamy sent in a fine cross.

Second half and Pompey came out of the hutch the quickest, Brown first had a long ranger blocked by ireland, and then he won a tackle in midfield, got to his feet and blocked the next clearance and had a run at goal, he netted, but Howard webb was having none of it and ruled it out for handball, you can bet if it was Rooney it would have been legit.City had a strong 20 minutes now, pushing hard for a second, but Pompey held firm and Begovic gathered well when required.Time was ticking and Utaka who was on for Smith, cut in from the right and unleashed a fierce drive with his left boot, it looked like it was going to nestle in the top corner, but whistled narrowly past the post.Adebayor was resorting to stumbling every time he had the slightest contact, Webb was buying it though and infuriated the home crowd by repeatedly blowing everytime he went down, really weak refereeing.With 10 left the ball broke to Hughes on the edge of the area, but he used he goal ratio up on Tuesday and hit high and wide.Cometh the hour, cometh the man, on came Nugent and he showed his value once again(considerably less than we paid for him), he did the first part well, turned his man and from 8 yards just had to put it either side of Given, but with all the aplomb of a concrete elephant scuffed his shot into the ground and straight at Given, a Golden chance gone and with it you fear Nugent's Pompey career.The whistle went and Pompey were 4 games down and pointless, 1 goal in 4 games tells the story.

Star Player

Distin has fled up to Merseyside, and kaboul stepped into the breach to try and stop the goals flooding into the ruined hull of HMS. Pompey, he performed solidly with Mokoena and will be depended on this term.

Player Ratings

Begovic

Performed well again, and if rumours are true may be about to get an extended run.

Vanden Borre

I initially thought he was khazi, but he really upped his game today and may well have a big part to play.

Mokoena

Didn't look uncomfortable alongside Kaboul.

Kaboul

Up for the fight and was a busy boy.

Belhadj

Defended well today and got forward when possible.

Brown

You can see why Hart bought him, he gives his all, and while many may call him a thug for previous crimes, he will be important in Pompey's side.

Smith

Put in a lot of energy, but didn't get a sniff of a shot, but but certainly looks up for the chance to prove himself.

Mullins

Better display

Hughes

Not a great game, was caught in possession more often than Pete Doherty.

Kranjcar

Put it about a bit more and but didn't create too much, needs some time on the practice pitch with his free-kicks.

Piquionne

Another energetic performance, but could really do with a league goal soon.

Kanu

Never really got in a shot.

Utaka

Flashed one shot wide and had a late header blocked, if he could only stretch his 10 minute cameos into 90 minutes.

We will only score if we Attack in the right direction. On many occasions today in the Fratton End, most of us were shouting "Other way", "Other Way". From where i was sitting, i thought that Utaka strike was in! Was a bit peeved that Hart took Piquionne off!! Bellamy got enough stick today. Referee was a total fool, clearly had no idea at all. Good day out though!

Arthur, all the time the offside rule is as vague as it is, it will be discounted 9 out of 10, and if it wasn't fro Andy Gray analysing everything after the match no-one would have gone on about it!
What about Browns "goal" then? I f the ball hits you at 90mph does self defence not come into it?

generally, it was a good performance. Brown did look very energetic, which was good to see from a pompey player! Tommy smith just didn't look quite up to pace, and utaka created more in 10 minutes than smith did in the whole time he was on. Kaboul was outstanding.

Arthur...Barry WENT for the ball therefore was OFFSIDE..
I thought we did well, could'nt Grumble...Nuge-Taxi..please...annoyed as i was about BROWN coming in.. i can see why... I thought VB had bellamy tucked up and Belhadj did well but Kaboul was great...Hughes whom i have an affection for, just is not good enougj and will not get any better... i hope he gets a good move somewhere in the championship where he would be a very good player..

As we've said before, the season starts against Bolton. We need about 4 or 5 new faces and then we can spend the break getting to know the new team. In the 4 or 5 faces we need another striker but I'm confident Piquionne and Dindane will find us the goals we need to survive. I took a lot of 'Hart' from the game. Brown & Smith were like a poor man's Sean Davis & Matt Taylor but they're just the sort of players we need for a scrap. I thought City were industrious, strong and well-dressed but there for the taking if we could get a shot on target. Brighter things to come from Pompey.